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Scholarships
Impact Report
Thank you for supporting
scholarships at Leeds
Thank you so much for your support towards
scholarships which continue to make a
transformative difference to the lives of so many
students here at the University of Leeds.
In this report you will see the impact of your
generosity and how you are ensuring that
students from less advantaged backgrounds
can thrive in their studies and through their
extra-curricular activities. Much of this is
told through the testimony of the students
themselves, such as Farah Mahmoud, second
year Criminal Justice and Criminology:
“My scholarship means that I can live
comfortably, in a safe area and eat
plenty of nutritious food. It allows me to
pay the training fees for the Trampoline
Society which helps me to keep fit. My
scholarship helps me to get the full
university experience in the sense that I
rarely have to say no to plans or socials
for financial reasons.”
Students from less advantaged backgrounds stand to
gain the most from higher education, and with your help
we are able to sustain our support to deserving and
talented people. This year 207 students started at Leeds
with the financial security offered by a scholarship. One
of the great challenges for education is to be more
accessible, and your support is allowing us to take a
lead role in recruiting students from less advantaged
backgrounds. These students may be the first in
their family to come to university, may come from
communities where participation in higher education
is low, or may have been in care or have caring
responsibilities.
Since joining the University I have been impressed by the
Leeds community – through the ambition shown by the
students I meet and the generosity of our alumni. I can
see how much the University means to our community
by the fact that so many supporters, like yourself, wish
to ensure that future generations can enjoy this special
Leeds experience.
Whilst this academic year saw face-to-face teaching
return and campus felt much more lively and vibrant,
our students were still facing an education environment
that was affected by Covid-19. But having their
scholarship has allowed many to navigate through these
difficult times. And we were delighted that in March we
were able to welcome back graduates from the Classes
of 2020 and 2021 for a celebration of their graduation –
you can read more about this on page 15.
Thank you for your generous support for
scholarships. These scholarship recipients provide
richness, cultural diversity and intellectual gifts to
our University community which would be far less
rounded without them, and in turn they will join our
growing alumni community too. Thank you so much
for all you do as a donor and supporter of the
University of Leeds.
I feel that these words, from final year Biochemistry
student Richa George, sum up the difference you
are making:
“These scholarships are truly life
changing; I would have been a very
different person today if I hadn't received
my scholarship as I might not have even
come to university. I’ve been blessed with
so many incredible opportunities that
I wouldn’t have had if I was anywhere
else, and it wouldn't have been possible
without your support. Throughout these
past few years, I have accomplished
more than I ever could have imagined
or thought I was capable of. None of this
would have been possible without your
generosity and for that I cannot thank
you enough.”
Thank you
Professor Jeff Grabill
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education
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 Since 2010 In 2021/22
2,036
students have received
207
new scholarships were
a scholarship successfully awarded

Undergraduate scholarships
Number of undergraduate Ratio of

9
applications received:
applications for every

1153 scholarship available

Number of undergraduate In July 2021

scholarships successfully
awarded: 81%
120 of those receiving a scholarship
achieved a First or Upper Second degree

Postgraduate scholarships
Number of postgraduate
applications received:

511
Number of postgraduate
scholarships successfully
awarded:

87
Ratio of

6 applications for every

scholarship available

3
Sinead Hinton
Second year Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion
I grew up in foster care from the age of eight.
I am the first in my family to go to university,
as well as one of only a handful of students
from my secondary school to attend a Russell
Group university.
Researching universities, I was very concerned about
how I could afford it – my rent would cost more than
half of the maintenance loan and without family help
I didn't believe I would be able to afford a lot of the
equipment needed for my studies.
My scholarship means
I don’t have to tell people,
“no, I can’t afford it,” it
means I can get involved
in lots of activities and has
helped me to make lots of
new friends.
Abigail Wood
First year Economics
It was a big weight off my shoulders to find out I’d been
awarded the scholarship and it definitely made me more
excited about the move to university. My scholarship
means I have been able to buy books for my course, it
aids my travel expenses to and from the campus and it
also helps me to afford academic subscription services.
Through being a scholarship recipient, I’ve engaged
with the Plus Programme which has given me many
opportunities outside of university. For example, I
worked with a charity to give talks to groups of foster
carers on how they can encourage their foster children
to pursue university, and I have also been working with
researchers to improve the support that is provided for
children in foster care.
Thank you very much for
supporting scholarships at
Leeds. Scholarships allow young
people from less advantaged
backgrounds to feel more
confident in pursuing university,
by helping to provide resources
that we cannot get from others.
Only 6% of care-leavers pursue university, and often
this is due to a lack of funding support. As a care leaver,
my scholarship gives me confidence that I can afford
everything I need to succeed here at Leeds. Thank you.
4
Emilie
Barron
First year Social Work
When I got the email to say that I had
been awarded my scholarship it was such
an enormous relief, especially with prices
increasing and being a sole provider trying
to run a home, a car and provide for my
son. This scholarship has made a huge
difference in mine and my son’s life. Money
was extremely tight and I struggled to afford
food for the month after I had paid my bills,
but now that I don't sit up worrying about
what my son is going to eat for the next two
weeks, I can focus on my education.
My scholarship helps me pay for childcare so that I can
attend events run by the Social Work Society, and also
meet with my peers for study sessions. I have made
some lifelong friends on this course and we are now
comfortable enough to chat and meet up outside of
university which is important for my wellbeing too.

I wanted to study Social Work as I have seen for myself

the support and encouragement that Social Services
have provided to a relative of mine who struggled with
their family. In a few years’ time, when I graduate, I’m
excited about diving into a sector that I am passionate
about – I want to work with young offenders as I want to
make a difference to young peoples’ lives.

I am extremely grateful I was awarded this scholarship

and I hope one day when I am qualified, I can help
someone else like me too.

My scholarship has
meant that I don't feel
like such a misfit, that I'm
not missing out on lots of
things, and that I can enjoy
university and not always
stress about money. I feel
very lucky – thank you.
Indiana Green
Final year Psychology

5
I want those who support
my scholarship to know I am
absolutely loving every single
aspect of my time at Leeds!
I have secured a job with
Linklaters (a global law firm)
for when I leave next year
and I have already had so
many amazing opportunities.
I want you to know that
without my scholarship
none of this would have been
possible and for that I am
eternally grateful –
thank you.
Marie Poole
Second year History
Thanks to my scholarship I
have been able to participate
in so many opportunities that
I otherwise would not have
been able to. I have joined the
Tennis Society which has been
extremely rewarding, and I
have been able to participate
in activities with the
Geography Society. With my
scholarship I am less stressed
about money, improving
my overall happiness in life.
Thank you!
Claudia Fletcher
Second year Geography

The scholarship is what

begins my day as I use it
for travelling to university.
It has helped me in more
ways than you can imagine,
from allowing me to travel
across the country for work
experience to motivating
me to focus on my studies
without being as worried
about the expenses. I am truly
grateful for the support and
inspiration you have given me
and will remember this in all
my future endeavours. Thank
you from the bottom of my
heart.
Tasnim Ali
First year Law

6
Dane Nugent
Second year Physics
Having grown up on a council estate and being the
first person in my immediate family just to finish
high school, as a teenager there was never any
expectation I would go on to university. However,
I always thought I would like to study further and
now I've taken the long way round to get here at the
age of 29! Upon reflection I think the life experience
and skills I've gathered from the world of work have
allowed me to benefit from university much more
than I would have done if I had come at 18.
I had been working and living in the Netherlands prior to applying
for university. My initial reason for returning home here to Leeds
was to look after my gran who raised me. It also presented
the perfect opportunity for a career change and that is why I
contacted the University to see what options were available to me.
When I was awarded the scholarship I felt gratitude that people
existed with the means and the will to provide financial help, to
allow people like myself to attend university. I was excited to test
myself at university and to grow as a person – and not having to
worry about money is great. Thank you.

Being granted this scholarship

and this opportunity to study
at Leeds has made me realise
that I can set my own bar for
achievement – and every day
that bar becomes higher. I never
thought university was for people
like me, but perhaps people from
less advantaged backgrounds
are exactly what the education
system needs. Self-made,
hardworking individuals who
have had to overcome very
real obstacles. All I can say is
thank you.
Macy Sgarra
First year English Literature and Language

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Tom Stent
First year Physics
The cost of university was concerning for me
and one of the main reasons why I waited
two years before applying, during which I
was mostly working to save up some money.
My scholarship has allowed me to meet lots
of new people – I’ve joined the Muay Thai
Society and the Physics Society, and my
scholarship has allowed me to get involved
with their events such as the annual ball and
social nights out.
I am loving my course and I’ve found almost everything
fascinating - particularly the special relativity and maths
modules. Some of the concepts introduced in special
relativity involving time dilation and length contractions
were so counter intuitive and unlike anything I had
learned in physics so far. Developing my skills in maths
has been really enjoyable, and seeing how physics
uses these concepts to so precisely understand and
predict nature has been fascinating. Thank you for the
opportunity to study here at Leeds.

Karolina Glasek
Year Abroad, History Year Abroad
I am on my Year Abroad at the
University of Waterloo in Canada.
This has been one of the best years
of my life! I have had the chance to
live in a completely different country
where I am learning about the local
culture, and I have become more
confident and independent. I have
made amazing friends and I have
explored Canada. I am getting good
grades and I feel at home here. I’m
so grateful that I’ve had this amazing
experience. Thank you for supporting
my scholarship which helped make
this possible.

8
Molly Smith
Second year International History and Politics
I have really enjoyed this year – I’ve made
great new friends and my social life has
become much more enjoyable compared
to how isolated I was during the Covid-19
pandemic. I secured an internship with the
Outreach and Engagement Team that has
given me so many different opportunities
outside of my comfort zone – I’ve loved
every minute of my internship.
Thank you for your support. Your generosity has
made my university experience so much easier and
more enjoyable. It’s removed so much stress for me and
my family regarding how I would afford to live on my
student loan alone. Without my scholarship, I definitely
would not have been able to succeed at university as
well as I am now.

Henschel Freduah-Agyemang
Second year Medicine
My scholarship has provided me with a
financial safety net which allows me to focus
entirely on enjoying and succeeding in my
course. It also offers me the opportunity to
participate in many activities in my free time.
I have been the year representative for the Psychiatry
Society, I have volunteered with an organisation
that helps students from a lower socio-economic
background gain access to medical school, I have
attended medical school taster days for A-Level students
and I co-led a workshop at a surgical conference in
London. These experiences have been really inspiring
and have developed my leadership and team working
skills.

Your support means I can attend

conferences and taster days. Your
support means I can mentor
other students. By supporting me
you are therefore helping others
think about higher education too.
Thank you so much.

9
James
Edward
McHale
MA Medieval Studies

I have had an unusual educational pathway and

certainly never believed that university would
be for me. I am autistic and have ADHD and my
school was not very supportive. At one point, my
school attendance was around 25% because of my
personal difficulties. Despite this, I managed to
achieve academically average GCSE results and I
then went to my local college to study a BTEC in
Public Services.
I was more comfortable at college; I came out as LGBTQ+ and
received better disability support. I began to thrive and reached
my potential for the first time – I achieved high grades and
was the first in my class. My academic excellence continued
throughout my undergraduate degree and I won several
academic awards and prizes including an international prize,
the prize for the best overall performance in my undergraduate
studies and the prize for the best dissertation on a medieval
topic. These experiences have instilled in me a strong work
ethic and appreciation for education. I utterly love my
postgraduate course and the opportunities it provides.

Looking ahead to the future with optimism, I’m thrilled at the

prospect of utilising the skills and expertise gained during my
MA studies to pursue doctoral study at Leeds in October – and
I’m delighted to say that I have a place of study confirmed!

I believe passionately in the power of

education. Whilst no one can say with
any real idea where they’ll end up
in 15 or 20 years’ time, I do sincerely
hope to achieve – with the strong
educational foundation from my
time here at Leeds – a good career in
which I’m making a positive, tangible
difference in society.
I hope that I myself will one day be in a position to support
others like me from disadvantaged backgrounds.

10

Thank you so very
much for helping me
through all of my time at
the University of Leeds.
It is an honour to study
at this University. You
gave me this opportunity
through the scholarship
as an undergraduate,
and to be given it again as
a postgraduate student
is above and beyond my
wildest dreams. I will
never forget these past five
years that have been made
possible because of you.
Kara Keal
MSc Inequalities and Social Science
Chido
Chipato
MSc Molecular Medicine
I wanted to further my education by doing a
Masters so that I could gain more laboratory
experience. This was especially crucial
for me as I missed many opportunities to
gain this experience due to the Covid-19
pandemic. What drew me to study at the
University of Leeds in particular was the
diversity of the community. As a black
woman in STEM, there can sometimes be a
homogeneity among students that can be
daunting. However I felt the environment
that Leeds offered was welcoming to people
from all backgrounds, regardless of race,
ethnicity or sexual orientation.
Thank you so much for helping me overcome the
greatest hurdle I faced in fulfilling my dream. Without
you supporting my scholarship, I would not have been
able to study Molecular Medicine. You have given me
an opportunity to move one step closer to getting the
career I have always dreamt of.
Charlie
Cumiskey
MA Political Communications
Postgraduate education has increasingly
become the factor that really makes a
difference in the job market, and yet it
by and large remains the preserve of the
more affluent due to its unequal funding
structures.
Your donation has made all the difference in permitting
a working-class student to pursue their education on
their own grounds. For this I would just like to say thank
you – you simply have no idea of the difference it makes
to people like me.
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Your support
achieves so much
Plus Programme In 2020/21 the Plus Programme
engaged with more than:

Thanks to your generosity, alongside

a scholarship, we are also able to offer 5,500 Students
students from underrepresented
backgrounds an enhanced package of
support through the Plus Programme. For
every £10,000 scholarship, £1,000 goes
towards the Plus Programme which acts as a
‘base camp’ for all students who come from
backgrounds that are less represented at
In 2021/22 the Plus Programme
university. supported 171 students who were
“The Plus Programme emails have been a estranged or care experienced, like Sinead
lifeline of useful information updating me on Hinton who is featured on page 04. A
opportunities available. I feel informed of the dedicated point of contact liaised with social
things I can get involved in and that has been workers to ease the transition to university
very empowering.” and additional financial support provided
Henschel Freduah-Agyemang kitchen and bedding packs to help these
Second year Medicine students settle in during arrival week.

The Plus Programme provides weekly emails and

offers unique events to create a sense of community
and belonging for students. Working with the Careers
Centre, the Plus Programme also offers insight days
which provides students the opportunity to gain an
understanding and experience of working for a range of
employers. Each event enables students the opportunity
to get a feel for the organisation, ask questions and
better understand what is needed to pursue a career in
that field.

“I engage with the Plus Programme team

who share resources and hold various talks
and events. I find the events really useful
for helping me develop a career path and
explaining what life after university can
look like. Always having them as a point of
contact is extremely reassuring.”
Caitlin Oliver
MA Sociology
The Clubs and Societies Fund minimises
the financial barrier and helps Plus
Programme students access Leeds University
Union’s full range of clubs and societies.
Students can apply for the reimbursement
of membership fees for as many clubs
and societies as they like, giving them the
opportunity to make the most of what Leeds
has to offer.

In 2021/2022, 236 students were supported

to join societies, funding more than £7,000
worth of membership fees.

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Opportunities Fund
The Opportunities Fund helps students Thanks to your support, the Opportunities Fund helps
to access extracurricular, professional students to afford additional course fees, or pay travel
development experiences or non- expenses and purchase smart clothing for interviews.
compulsory activities which may enhance This extra source of funding alleviates worries, allowing
students to take full advantage of the opportunities
their employability. The Fund levels the
that are offered, helping them strive to reach a
playing field as students are not excluded
better future.
from these opportunities due to
financial constraints.

177
Number of
applications for
the Opportunities
Fund in 2021/22:

Number of
approved
awards: 140

13
Iman Sulevani
Opportunities Fund recipient (Final year Medicine)
The Opportunities Fund allowed me to buy a
stethoscope which I have been using during my
placements this year.
Since I have had the stethoscope I have diagnosed a
heart murmur in a six-year-old child and referred them
to paediatric specialist services for further investigations.
I have also picked up on an adult patient having fluid in
their lungs after hearing crackled sounds through the
Halima Kamran
Opportunities Fund recipient (Final year Law)
The Opportunities Fund supported me while I
obtained valuable legal experience shadowing a
barrister in Birmingham for a week.
This was an interesting experience which solidified my
interest in becoming a barrister, as I was able to see their
work firsthand and understand what the career entails.
It allowed me to network with legal professionals who I
stethoscope. This led to a chest x-ray being done and
medical intervention being started.
I anticipate my stethoscope
will last me a long time and is
something I will continue to use in
nearly all my patient interactions
– thank you so much!
am still in contact with, which has been helpful as a first-
generation student with no previous contacts in law.
Without the Opportunities Fund, it would have been
difficult for me to go ahead with the experience due to
accommodation and travel costs. I would like to thank the
Opportunities Fund for allowing me to participate in an
opportunity which has proved vital in understanding what I
want to do in the future.
14
A time to This summer graduation returned for the
Class of 2022. Campus came to life with

celebrate!
Graduation is a special moment in any
student’s journey, but for the past two
years because of the Covid-19 pandemic,
graduation ceremonies were unable to go
ahead. March and April this year saw the
joyous return of these special events as
we welcomed back the Classes of 2020
and 2021 to mark their extraordinary
achievements.
The sun shone, the champagne fizzed, the cameras
clicked and our former scholarship recipients reflected
on what their scholarship meant to them.
Rebekah-Louise Scanlan
Biological Sciences 2020
Thank you for your financial support throughout my
undergraduate degree. Despite the difficulties of adapting
to the Covid-19 pandemic during my final year I achieved
a First. Your support meant I did not need to get a part-
time job throughout my studies to support myself, which
meant I was able to focus on achieving the best I could
academically.
Since completing my BSc in Biological Sciences, I have
gone on to complete an MRes in Ageing and Health at
Newcastle University and am currently in the first year of
my PhD also at Newcastle. Thank you for supporting my
scholarship which has made all this possible.
graduates sharing their special day with their
families and friends. Many of those graduating
looked back on a University experience unlike
any other, but they had persevered and
succeeded, and those achievements
were celebrated.
“Today I got to celebrate – to celebrate
everything that I’ve achieved, all the
opportunities that I’ve grasped and
how far I’ve come. I started at Leeds
feeling quite alone, with no parental
support, but I look around me now and
I know I’ve found a home, a place where
I feel secure. Throughout my years
here, Leeds has become like family to
me and it’s thanks to my scholarship
that I’ve had this amazing experience.
I’m delighted that this celebration isn’t
the end of my time here at Leeds as in
September I’ll be returning to study for
a Masters – and I can’t wait! Thank you
for your support.”
Meegan Worcester
Sustainability and Environmental
Management 2022

Russell Downing
Professional Studies 2021
I finally did it, I had my graduation ceremony! I can say
with certainty that you played a large part in me being
able to achieve this result. It’s thanks to you and your
generous support that I have been able to make it
through the last few years. It’s been nice to know that
although we never met, there was someone out there
rooting for me to succeed.

Saying 'thank you' feels hollow in comparison to the

help you have given me but I hope you know that there
is a Leeds lad out there who will be forever in your debt.
Thank you very much.

15
A former scholar reflects
on her time at Leeds
Melissa Ulrich Theatre and Performance 2019
I found out about scholarships through the
Access to Leeds programme, which allowed
me to show my academic ability though
written work related to my subject choice,
rather than grades alone. This meant that
my offer was lowered from AAB to ABB
and with the pressure off I excelled and got
AAA!
My scholarship allowed me to secure accommodation
in Henry Price which gave me greater freedom – it
was very convenient and reassuring to know I could
easily access the many wonderful facilities on campus,
without worrying about getting home late at night.
My scholarship helped me take up every opportunity
– membership of LUU Opera Society allowed me
to perform in three operas and enjoy learning from
professionals at Opera North. And as a founding
member of LUU Music Society Symphonic Choir I After graduating I began a PGCE in Primary Education
even went on tour to Berlin! This would not have been and discovered an interest in helping pupils with
possible without my scholarship. Special Educational Needs (SEN). Since 2020 I have
enjoyed working as a SEN Teaching Assistant in a
“I felt a great sense of pride on Bradford primary school. I have completed certificates
in Makaton, Autism, Behaviour and Mental Health, and
receiving my scholarship, as I begun the Higher Level Teaching Assistant course which
knew someone wanted to reach allows me to plan and deliver lessons. My university
out and support me.” experience helped me secure employment in a job I Iove
which lets me make a positive difference to the lives of
There was always something going on at Leeds and others – just as my scholarship donor did for me.
I worked ‘front of house’ for shows in the School
of Performance and Cultural Industries. I also loved “Thank you for your kindness
volunteering as a Scholarships Ambassador and
featuring in University communications, which allowed
in supporting scholarships –
me to give something back and promote Leeds. At the your wonderful, selfless act is
Annual Scholarships Reception I enjoyed networking very much appreciated. I feel
with other scholarship recipients and was proud to tell
donors about the difference my scholarship was making.
immensely proud to have been
a scholarship recipient at the
“I even met my own scholarship University of Leeds.”
donor to express my gratitude
in person. Donors continue to be
part of the University long after
their own graduation!”
16
Thank you all
for your support
Thank you so much for supporting scholarships here at
Leeds. You are making a life changing difference to those
who receive a scholarship. Your support allows them to
not only have the opportunity to study here at Leeds, but
to thrive and grow as individuals.
With your support we are fully committed to ensuring
that a student’s background and lived experiences are
not barriers to access or outcomes. Thank you for
sharing in this vision with us – you are truly making a
difference.

The support you give

is absolutely essential.
Without it, people like
myself are on the back
foot before even beginning,
bound to the exact same
fate as, in many cases,
our own families. Your
contributions allow us to
create our own futures and
be significantly more equal
to our peers. Thank you so
much.
Isabelle Newcombe
Second year Philosophy

17